The Dark Knight Rises European Premiere Report

Thousands of Batman fans descended on London’s Leicester Square tonight for the European Premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. The star studded red carpet for the much anticipated third and final instalment in Christopher Nolan’s caped crusader trilogy was attend by much of the cast and crowds of celeb fans who were eager to rub shoulders with Batman and Bane themselves.

Even billionaire Bruce Wayne would have been impressed with the extravagant decorations that transformed Leicester Square. A 30 foot high broken Batman mask, massive video screens and a giant Batman logo set on fire and a camouflaged Batmobile were among the most spectacular sights. Some super-fans even dressed to impress as the Dark Knight and his muscle-bound nemesis Bane.

Check out over ten minutes of video coverage below including our exclusive interview below with Oscar winning composer Hans Zimmer, talking about collaborating with Director Christopher Nolan, the soundtrack for New Superman Movie Man Of Steel and the possibility of Inception 2. We also talk to the films young star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and celebrity Batman fan George Sampson.

Finding Nemo 2 Sequel Confirmed

Writer and director Andrew Stanton looks set to follow recent flop John Carter with a return to more successful animated territory, providing Disney-Pixar with a sequel to popular classic Finding Nemo.

Stanton has always been one of the leading creative forces behind Pixar. He provided the original story and screenplays for Toy Story, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Monster’s Inc. Wall–E and Toy Story 3. He also directed Oscar wining Finding Nemo and Wall-E, before making his live-action debut helming John Carter for Disney.

The box office failures of John Carter lead to the film being declared one of the most costly flops in the history of cinema. With some projections suggesting Disney may have lost over $200million dollars on the ambitious Mars adventure. To be fair to Andrew Stanton, most of that financial failure was actually due to an excessive and utterly ineffective $100 million marketing campaign.

In sharp contrast Finding Nemo made over $860 million in cinemas worldwide. It’s actually surprising it has taken Disney and Pixar this long to pursue a guaranteed hit sequel. They’ve been quick to build profitable franchises with Toy Story, Cars and Monsters Inc.

Perhaps the simple reason for the ten year wait for a Finding Nemo sequel is the obvious challenge of finding a plausible storyline to continue the self-contained adventure of the first film. After all we did find Nemo in the end. Although for anyone who might suggest it would be ludicrous to misplace the same child twice just for box office success, we refer you to Home Alone 2…

The studio are said to be excited about Andrew Stanton’s ideas for the sequel and directing the sure-fire animated hit will undoubtedly help rehabilitate his image as a critically acclaimed and lucrative filmmaker.

Johnny Depp Stars in New Wes Anderson Film

We recently reported that Wes Anderson had set his quirky sights on landing Johnny Depp for the starring role in his next film. It now appears that the Moonrise Kingdom Director has got his wish, with reports that global superstar Johnny Depp has officially joined the cast of The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Anderson is still expected to turn to his winsome muse Bill Murray alongside habitual collaborators Owen Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Edward Norton and Jason Schwartzman as he fills out his new cast.  Jude Law and Murder She Wrote star Angela Lansbury are also reportedly high on Anderson’s wishlist for his next project.

Plot details will no doubt emerge as soon as Wes Anderson is finished  scribbling them down in a Tweed bound journal with an antique set of  pastel coloring crayons.  At least that’s how we like to imagine his scripts come into being…

 

Anthony Mackie set for Captain America Sequel

Anthony Mackie is in talks to join Marvel superhero sequel Captain America The Winter Soldier as Falcon. The character was a frequent ally of Captain America in the comics of the 1970 and represented a significant milestone as one of the first black superheroes in mainstream comics.

Rising star Mackie is much in demand; with starring roles in The Hurt Locker, Million Dollar Baby and most recently Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter on his CV. Landing this prestigious heroic role could help transform him into much more of a household name.

Afforded super strength and the power of flight by a rather snazzy winged costume, Falcon also had telepathic abilities that allowed him to communicate with his fellow birds. It remains to be seen how Marvel will adapt his powers and outfit for the big screen though.

Specific plot details and full casting are yet to be confirmed, though of course Avengers star Chris Evans will reprise his role as the shield wielding patriotic hero.

The recently announced sequel title does also imply a return for Captain America’s previous ally Bucky Barns, who became the brainwashed Russian Assassin The Winter Soldier in the original comics. Sebastian Stan played the role in the first Captain America film.

Captain America The Winter Soldier will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, with a release date set for 4 April 2014.

The Rock Might Be DC Hero Lobo

Dwayne Johnson aka former wrestling superstar The Rock, has confirmed through his official Twitter account that he is in fact in talks to play DC alien anti-hero Lobo.  Johnson announced via his official Twitter account :

“Rumours of me possibly playing LOBO are true. Joel Silver and Brad Peyton working on it now. That could be fun…”

Director Brad Peyton and The Rock recently worked together on Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, so this could see a swift reunion for the pair. Lobo started life as one of DC comics leading villains, but has been gradually rehabilitated to become a more popular and heroic figure.  He’s a remorseless muscle-bound alien mercenary with a fondness for motorbikes and dressing like the lead singer of a thrash metal band.

Expect wigs, KISS makeup, lots of leather and very limited smiling if The Rock does land the role. Till then you can look forward to checking him out alongside Bruce Willis & Channing Tatum in blockbuster summer sequel GI Joe Retaliation.