Helen Mirren confirmed for RED 2 & Gaza Movie

On the red carpet at the world premiere of Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy, Director Rob Heydon confirms that not only is Dame Helen Mirren definitely going to be reprising her role as a ruthless assassin for RED 2, she’s also preparing for a new drama set in Gaza.

While details of the plot of the new middle east film haven’t been released yet, producer Rob Hedyon confirms that the film will be a Canadian/British production and most likely shot in Jordan due to safety issues with filming in Gaza itself.

Philip Martin will be directing the project, having recently been responsible for BBC series Birdsong which starred Eddie Redmayne and was based on a script by Abi Morgan.

The film will also see Helen Mirren reunite with producer Andy Harries, previously responsible for Mirren’s Oscar winning vehicle The Queen.

 

Video Interview Below:

 

Ray Winstone Praises ‘Game Girl’ Kristen Stewart

At last night’s Elfie Hopkins world premiere Ray Wistone spoke a little about working with ‘Game Gal’ Kristen Stewart on the upcoming Snow White & The Huntsman. Ray was full of praise for the acting efforts of the beautiful young Twilight star, admitting she more than held her own in the woods alongside himself and a host of accomplished British character actors.

Ray also told us that fans should expect something special from director Rupert Sanders vision of the classic fairy tale. The film has it’s UK premiere on May 14th and follows hot on the heels of recent Snow White adaptation Mirror Mirror.

Video clip below with Ray Winstone…

 

Bill Murray Considers Ghostbusters 3

Despite rumours Bill Murray shredded Dan Aykroyd’s proposed script for Ghostbusters 3 and returned it to him with an emphatic note that made clear his lack of interest in reprising his role as Dr Peter Venkman for a third film, it seems that busting might still make him feel good…

While busy promoting his new Wes Anderson film Moonrise Kingdom the wry funnyman was questioned about being involved in another Ghostbusters movie. Murray’s reply was brief but showed the slightest hint of ambiguity.

 “Well…  it’s a possibility”

Given his long term public animosity towards reviving the classic comedy franchise even this tiny snippet of vague interest represents a tiny step forwards.

Only time will tell if Bill Murray is genuinely warming to Dan Aykroyd’s plans for the new film, or if he was simply trying to evade the question without sounding too grumpy.

Gary Ross Won’t Direct Catching Fire

Gary Ross has announced he won’t be directing the Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire.

Despite the first film’s astounding global box office success, the screenwriter and director said he had decided not to make the next instalment in the trilogy “after difficult but sincere consideration”.

Ross has denied reports of a falling out with distributors Lionsgate.  He claims the tight production schedule for the second film, due to be released in November 2013,  simply  left him with little time to prepare.

The Hunger Games just spent a third week at the top of the US box office, killing off competition from Titanic 3D and the American Pie Reunion.  It’s now officially taken $460m (£290m) worldwide from a modest $78m (£49m) budget.

Jennifer Lawrence, who plays heroine Katniss Everdeen, only has a short window for filming Catching Fire because she is due to start shooting the sequel to X-Men: First Class in January 2013.

Ross said making The Hunger Games was the happiest experience of his professional life but that he did not have the time he needed to write and prepare a second film.

Lionsgate officials admit they are “very sorry” Ross has chosen not to direct the movie but that they looked forward to working with him on future projects.

Ben Kingsley set for Iron Man 3

Sir Ben Kingsley is probably still best known for roles in films like Schindler’s List and Gandhi, but he’s certainly not above risking his credibility for lucrative paychecks playing villains in less lauded blockbuster fair

Past examples include BloodRayne, Thunderbirds, What Planet Are You From?, War Inc., Suspect Zero, and Prince of Persia. Now he’s reportedly entered talks to play a bad guy in the Shane Black-directed Iron Man 3.

It’s long been expected that iron Man 3 would finally see the emergence of Mandarin the Asian supervillan who was Iron man’s frequent comic book nemesis.

It seems to be clear Kingsley won’t be taking on that role but will more likely playing a secondary villain “involved in the spread of a virus through nanobots.” The next Iron man film is supposedly based around the the six-issue Extremis storyline.