Robert Downey Jr Cast As Doctor Doolittle
What do Eddie Murphy and Robert Downey Jr have in common? Well soon the answer will be Doctor Doolittle! Universal Studios have hired Iron Man himself to take on the whimsical role of the doctor who can talk to animals in an upcoming reboot, The Voyage of Doctor Doolittle based on Hugh Loftings children’s books from the 1920s.
Stephen Ganghan (Gold, Syriana) is on directing duties for the reimagination of the character who has previously been played by Rex Harrison in a 1967 musical and later by Eddie Murphy in 1998 and 2001.
More news as we get it of course, but for now you can find Robert Downey Jr in your cinemas from July 7 as he reprises his role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Empire Awards 2017 Winners
The winners have been revealed for this year’s Three Empire Awards, which celebrates the best in film and entertainment of the past year, as voted for by movie fans. The latest instalment from the Harry Potter wizarding world, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, picked up the most awards on the night with four accolades in total, including Best Actor presented by Three for Eddie Redmayne’s performance as Newt Scamander, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Make-Up And Hairstyling. The force was also strong for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which scored a hat-trick, claiming the coveted Best Film presented by Sky Cinema award as well as Best Actress presented by Three for Felicity Jones and Best Director presented by VUE Entertainment for Gareth Edwards.
British film triumphed, with Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake taking home Best British Film presented by The Hollywood Reporter and Best Male Newcomer presented by Pure Organic for Dave Johns’ performance in the lead role, while the Oasis production Supersonic picked up Best Documentary presented by Green Tomato Cars.
The 22nd annual awards also bestowed three honorary titles during the evening: Tom Hiddleston received the Empire Hero award presented by Three; Luc Besson picked up the Empire Inspiration award; and Sir Patrick Stewart took home the Legend award.
In addition, Anya Taylor-Joy won Best Female Newcomer presented by London Hilton on Park Lane for her performance in The Witch.
Other films which took home awards included: The Greasy Strangler, which won Best Comedy presented by Absolute Radio; The Witch, awarded Best Horror presented by Monkey Shoulder; Bourne, which won Best Thriller presented by MCM Comic Con; A Monster Calls, which took Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy presented by Three; Deadpool received the Best Screenplay award; Finding Dory was named Best Animated Film; La La Land won Best Soundtrack; Doctor Strange received Best Visual Effects presented by VUE Entertainment, and Inner Workings was awarded Best Short Film.
The accolade for Best TV Series presented by Magic went to The Night Manager and the Best Game award went to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
The Three Empire Awards 2017 was hosted at Camden’s Roundhouse, the event’s first time in the venue. In attendance were nominees, presenters and other distinguished guests from the entertainment world including: Hugh Laurie, Dame Joan Collins, Sir Ian McKellen and Dan Stevens.
Teaser Poster for The Dark Tower Emerges Online
After being in development hell for what seems like an eternity, Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is finally seeing the light of day. And to prove it to us, the teaser poster has been revealed!
Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba are set to star in the long-awaited adaptation which sees The Gunslinger, AKA Roland Deschain (Elba) try and track down the elusive Man In Black (McConaughey) in a fantastical western inspired landscape. Nickolaj Arcel (A Royal Night Out) is directing this first instalments with no doubt more to come if it becomes a success.
Check out the poster below and our exclusive first interview with female star Katheryn Winnick. Also be sure to check back soon when the first trailer is released. With the July 28 release date drawing ever closer it can’t be too much longer to wait…
Venom Movie Slated for October 2018
With Spider-Man having just recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Sony finally released him to Disney under a new contract that I’m sure everyone including Sony is over the moon about, it seems the extended universe is still very much in play. Before the latest reincarnation turned up in Captain America: Civil War last year, plans were underway to extend the Andrew Garfield Spidey-verse into a Sinister Six film and a Venom stand-alone film. However, with Tom Holland’s Spidey now well and truly under the wing of Marvel Studios and Spider-Man: Homecoming just round the corner, Sony are looking to revive that plan slightly by slipping a Venom film into the schedule for next year.
The news comes after Warner Bros recently delayed poor Aquaman from his October 19 2018 release to a later December 18 date, leaving room for Venom to swoop on in and grab it. Head Sony Honcho Amy Pascal is set to produce the film which will follow the fan favourite Spider-Man villain who had his silver screen debut in the much-criticised Spider-Man 3 and hasn’t been seen since.
No casting news has been revealed as of yet but keep your eyes peeled for more news soon. For now though, you’ll have to wait for July 7 when Spidey gets his first MCU solo film!
Get Out Review
The Plot
An African American man (Daniel Kaluuya) visits his white girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) family for the weekend. But things soon start getting spooky when her family’s hired help start acting out…
The Good
Writer/director Jordan Peele – one half of comedy duo Key and Peele – brings a sharp witted, spine-tingling horror film to the screen in what is sure to become an instant classic. When Chris (Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Williams) visit her family’s estate, paranoia soon sets in with him as their attitude towards him becomes increasingly creepier.
Opening with a scene in which a (literal) run-in with a deer results in a police call-out where Chris is instantly singled out despite not being the driver, Peele’s script continues with some all too familiar racial stereotyping. As he begins to meet his unofficial in-laws played by Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford (who ensures Chris that he would’ve voted for Obama a third time if he could!) he soon feels outnumbered as, even with the black maid and handyman roaming around the house, he’s still paraded around the party at an annual get-together attended by a sea of old white people.
It’s a slow burner but the deeper Get Out gets, the more intrigue and chills it brings with it. While Peele is known mostly for his comedy work, coming off the back of last years Keanu with Keegan Michael-Key who also star alongside each other in their hit sketch show, the comedy in Get Out never feels shoehorned in and instead just elevates the plot to a realistic sense that would have otherwise been missing as the paranoia becomes ever more ridiculous. This is thanks partly to the comedic talents of LilRel Howrey as Chris’ friend/comic relief.
But if Peele is the off-screen standout of the film, Kaluuya is undoubtedly the face to remember. Recognisably to British audiences mainly for his lead role in an episode of Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, his performance in Get Out is further proof that he has what it takes as an actor.
The Bad
There’s really nothing negative to report for Get Out. Peele’s script gives the most entertaining thriller in a long while. The more impatient viewer might be waylaid with the slow burn of Peele’s script but I promise, if you wait you’ll come to the same glowing conclusion as me.
The Ugly Truth
Jordan Peele proves that he is not just a funny man, but a damn fine director too. Mixing horror and humour brilliantly in a film that not only leaves you thinking about its social commentary but will also leave you with a shiver down your spine for a good while.
Review by Johnny Ellis