Benedict Cumberbatch Joins Rogue Male

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star in and produce an adaptation of Geoffrey Household’s rogue Male. Released in 1939, Household’s novel follows a hunter who, after failing an attempted assassination of a powerful dictator, is forced to remain in exile in the english countryside.

Cumberbatch, a self-confessed fan of the novel told The Hollywood Reporter ‘I am thrilled as both an actor and producer to be working on bringing this most treasured of English novels to the big screen’. Previous adaptations of the novel include Fritz Lang’s Man Hunt in 1940 and a 1977 BBC adaptation starring Peter O’Toole.

More news as we get it but expect to see Cumberbatch next on screens in November when he joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Doctor Strange.

The Secret Life of Pets Sequel In the Works

After making $300 million at the US box office alone, Illumination studios have announced that a sequel to The Secret Life of Pets is in the works, with a release date of July 13th 2018 already pencilled in. While not much is known about the story, director Chris Renaud is confirmed to return along with screenwriter Brian Lynch to bring the next chapter of the undoubtedly inevitable franchise.

More news as we get it but for now, you’ll have to wait until December 2016 for Illumination’s next film, Sing, hopefully with another Minions short preceding it.

Dominic Cooper Stars in Stratton Trailer

Preacher star, Dominic Cooper looks set to join the ranks of Bond and Bourne in his upcoming action thriller Stratton which released its first trailer today. Based on the series of books by Duncan Falconer, Stratton sees Cooper take on the titular role of John Stratton, an intelligence agent who tackles an international terrorist. While this first teaser doesn’t give much away in terms of plot, it features co-stars Tom Felton and Gemma Chan with Con Air director Simon West helming the film.

Time will tell if Cooper manages to bring us another action hero of the same caliber as Bond, but if the trailer is anything to go by, he’s certainly got a chance. Check out the trailer below:

Pete’s Dragon Premiere Pics

Check out a gallery of pictures from the London gala premiere of new Disney adventure film Pete’s Dragon featuring Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard and Georgia Lock. You can also watch exclusive Red Carpet News interviews below.

Free Fire Closes BFI London Film Festival 2016

The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is proud to announce that this year’s Closing Night gala will be Ben Wheatley’s high-octane action thriller FREE FIRE. The film will receive its European premiere on Sunday 16 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by cast and filmmakers.

Massachusetts late ‘70s. Justine (Brie Larson) has brokered a meeting in a deserted warehouse between two Irishmen (Cillian Murphy, Michael Smiley) and a gang led by Vernon (Sharlto Copley) and Ord (Armie Hammer) who are selling them a stash of guns. But when shots are fired in the handover, a heart stopping game of survival ensues.

Ben Wheatley says

“I’m very proud to be showing FREE FIRE at the BFI London Film Festival. To be the closing film is a great honour. LFF have been fantastic in supporting the films I’ve made (me and an army of 100s) and I can’t wait to show FREE FIRE to the Festival audience!”

FREE FIRE is Wheatley’s third film to be presented at the Festival, following High-Rise (2015) which screened as Festival Gala and Sightseers (2012) which screened as Laugh Gala.

BFI London Film Festival Director, Clare Stewart says:

“Ben Wheatley’s ascent as one of the UK’s most dazzling cinematic talents continues with this ballsy actioner. Dripping with blood, sweat and irony, FREE FIRE’s bravura filmmaking pays knowing tribute to the films of Sam Peckinpah and features a terrific cast who clearly relish bringing Wheatley and co-writer Amy Jump’s vivid characters to the screen. We are thrilled to be presenting the European Premiere as our Closing Night gala, ensuring that the 60th edition of the BFI London Film Festival goes out with a bang!”

Film4 and BFI present a Rook Films Production of a Ben Wheatley film.  Starring Sharlto Copley, Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Jack Reynor, Babou Ceesay, Enzo Cilenti, Sam Riley, Michael Smiley and Noah Taylor. STUDIOCANAL will release the film in UK and Ireland in 2017.

The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 5 October-Sunday 16 October 2016.  The opening night film is the previously announced Amma Asante’s A UNITED KINGDOM. The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 1 September 2016.

Festival Information & Ticket Booking

Purchase Festival tickets online at bfi.org.uk/lff, by phone from 10:00-20:30 daily at +44 (0)20 7928 3232, or visit the BFI Southbank Box Office 11:00-20:30. BFI Members’ priority booking opens 10.00, 8 September – join at bfi.org.uk/join; Public booking opens 10.00, 15 September.