Hunger Games Catching Fire Casting News
Casting rumours surrounding blockbuster sequel The Hunger Games: Catching Fire continue to gather pace with production set to start straight away in efforts to hit an ambitious release date of November next year.
Hunger Games Director Gary Ross already declined to return to helm the highly anticipated sequel, due to the demanding schedule imposed by Lionsgate. But Water For Elephants director Francis Lawrence quickly stepped into his shoes, prompting reports that Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson might be in line for the role of Finnick Odair. Pattinson himself was quick to throw cold water on that speculation, but more credible rumours have Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman under strong consideration for the role of new gameskeeper Plutarch Heavensbee.
New reports have Alice In Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska and model Zoe Aggeliki battling it out for the part of Johanna. The character is an intimidating former games contestant who squares off against Katniss.
Mia Wasikowska might not seem best suited to the physically imposing role, given her recent rack record of playing meek demure characters in Jane Eyre and Restless. But it would certainly give her a chance to prove her range and reunite her with The Kid’s Are Alright co-star Josh Hutcherson.
Zoe Aggeliki seems to be the current front runner with the model less well known but set to become more familiar thanks to forthcoming roles in Percy Jackson sequel Sea Of Monsters and Ryan Reynolds supernatural flick R.I.P.D.
For now the speculation and fan debate wages on.
Hugh Lauire might join RoboCop Cast
The big screen reboot of Paul Verhoeven’s cult 1980’s action flick RoboCop looks set to add yet another surprisingly credible cast member in the shape of Hugh Laurie, the surly star of TV’s House. MGM are courting the wry British actor to star as the villainous mega-rich CEO of the company that transforms deceased cop Alex Murphy into the titular cyborg RoboCop.
The growing cast list already includes Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson and Abbie Cornish. RoboCop will be arriving in UK cinemas next summer, August 9th.
The Woman In Black Sequel Details
After becoming the most successful British horror film of the last 20 years and revitalising the fortunes of classic horror studio Hammer, it’s probably unsurprising that The Woman In Black now has an inevitable sequel.
The Woman in Black hauled in over £80 million pounds worldwide on theatrical release alone, proving that audiences are quite happy watching man-boy Daniel Radcliffe battle scary ghost women instead of dark wizards.
Hammer announced plans for a second film in early April and are now working with author Susan Hill and story editor Jon Croker on a screenplay for The Women In Black: Angels of Death. There’s no director or cast yet, but check out the official synopsis below:
“Seized by the government and converted into a military mental hospital during World War II, the sudden arrival of disturbed soldiers to Eel Marsh Harsh has awoken its darkest inhabitant. Eve, a beautiful young nurse, is sent to the house to care for the patients but soon realizes she must save them from more than their own demons. Despite Eve’s efforts to stop her, one by one they fall victim to the Woman in Black.”
Hammer clearly missed the opportunity to use the title Woman in Black 2: Back In Black with an accompanying AC/DC soundtrack. But it’ll be interesting to see whether or not they try to get Emma Watson cast for the sequel. If Harry can’t kill that evil ghost lady maybe Hermione can get the job done.
In the meantime Hammer and Alliance films have also recently announced two more films going into production during 2012 called Gaslight and The Quiet Ones.
Mad Max Reboot Casting News
Mad Max Fury Road the long delayed return of the cult classic Mel Gibson action series, continues to inch closer to actual production, adding more names to its ever growing cast list.
Tom Hardy (Inception, Dark Knight Rises) announced in 2010 that he would be stepping into the lead role as Road Warrior ‘Mad’ Max Rockatansky, riding the post-apocalyptic wastelands and dishing out a much needed brand of violent justice. He was quickly joined by Charlize Theron, but since then the project has struggled to pick up speed amidst rumours of drastic budget cuts and script re-writes.
It still remains unclear whether or not Mad Max Fury Road will be a remake, reboot or straight up sequel to the original Gibson led trilogy. But we now know it will feature a group of alluring ladies known as the ‘five wives’. Lingerie model turned Transformers actress Rosie Huntington-Whitely has now officially joined Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keogh and Adelaide Clemens. With four wives found that means there’s now only one golden ticket left for generic model/actress types. Megan Fox’s agent take urgent note.
Despite the fact Charlize Theron has shaved her head and Tom Hardy has grown a grizzly wilderness man beard in preparation for filming, no confirmation yet on when production will start or any hint at an intended release date.
Anna Karenina Trailer
Here’s the first trailer for Director Joe Wright‘s opulent new production of Anna Karenina, once again starring his period drama muse Keira Knightly. The pair previously worked together on Atonement as well as Pride & Prejudice. Their new film is based on the classic romantic Russian literature of Leo Tolstoy , co-starring Jude Law and Aaron Johnson. Check it out for yourself below, especially if you want to see what next year’s Best Costume Oscar winner looks like…