Andy Serkis Returning For Rise Of The Apes Sequel

Deadline reports that Andy Serkis is likely becoming the new Roddy McDowall of the Planet of The Apes franchise. He just landed a deal with 20th Century Fox for the sequel to Rise of The Planet of The Apes. Serkis will reprise his role of Caesar and possibility other apes in the film. Director Rupert Wyatt along with writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are also returning for the sequel. There is no word if either James Franco or Freida Pinto will be back for the next installment.

Since Rise was inspired by Conquest of The Planet of The Apes I expect the sequel could be inspired by next installment Battle For The Planet of The Apes. That film focused on the new ape community (after the rebellion) lead by Caesar with loyal humans helping teach and build the society. The characters would later enter the abandoned city only to find a vengeful group of surviving humans armed to the teeth. Now with the viral outbreak spreading around the human population it wouldn't be surprising to see desperate survivors being the villains in the sequel. I just hope they scale back on the length of the film's title.

Danny McBride & Craig Robinson Join Jay And Seth Vs. The Apocalypse

Two more Apatow alumni have joined Seth Rogen's directorial debut Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse. Seth has revealed to MTV that Danny McBride (Your Highness, Pineapple Express, Eastbound And Down) and Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office, Pineapple Express) have joined the cast. Currently the cast includes Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill and James Franco. Rogen also sort of confirms that Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) has passed on the project.

Jonah Hill & James Franco Join Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse

JoBlo reports that Jonah Hill and James Franco have joined Seth Rogen's directorial debut Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse. Co-written by Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express) stars Jay Baruchel and Seth after a horrible end of the world event. It's been mentioned the film would be comedic version of The Mist.

Hill is currently branching out to leading comedic roles in The Sitter and 21 Jump Street. The latter project helped contribute to his recent drastic weight loss. Franco has been a longtime friend of Seth's since their time together on the show Freaks & Geeks. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) has been rumored as well along with a cameo from Will Smith.

Zach Braff In Talks To Join Oz, The Great & Poweful

Deadline reports that Zach Braff (Scrubs) is in final talks to join Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. Braff is taking the role of the Wizard's (Franco) assistant which had been originally offered to John C. Rielly. A big step down in my opinion and hope there are some charismatic male actors added to this cast. Zach joins James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Joey King.

Michelle Williams Confirmed As Glinda In Sam Raimi's OZ

 It's been confirmed by Variety that Michelle Williams will play Glinda the good witch in Oz, The Great & Powerful. She will star alongside James Franco, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis in the Disney film directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead).

Rachel Weisz In Talks For Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

HeatVision confirms that Rachel Weisz is in talks to play evil witch Evanora in Oz, The Great & Powerful. She is one of three sisters who wants to rule Oz using dark magic. Michelle Williams, Hilary Swank and Blake Lively are likely to be still in contentions for the role of Glinda. James Franco (Wizard) and Mila Kunis (Theadora) are currently the only other cast members in the Sam Raimi film.

Disney Wants Michelle Williams For Oz

Vulture reports that Disney is trying to cast the rest of the roles for Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. They say that Raimi is championing Hilary Swank for the role of the elder witch while Disney wants Michelle Williams. I believe most of the time a director is right on the money but Sam has a trend of hiring plain-Jane actresses for his leads. From what I know about the synopsis the witches are supposed to be beyond gorgeous while Swank can be pretty at times she isn't as stunning as say Mila Kunis, Blake Lively or Michelle Williams. I have to side with Disney as Michelle is coming off some impressive roles in Shutter Island and Blue Valentine the latter earned her second Oscar nomination.

It's unknown if Blake Lively is still involved with the film as she just joined Oliver Stone's Savages. Vulture also reported that John C. Rilley was in talks to play the Wizard's (Franco) sidekick but is expected to get an offer for a role in Hunger Games instead. To be honest I'd rather see Rilley in Oz but let's hope Disney continues to give us a solid cast.

Blake Lively Could Play Glinda In Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

Also in the Variety article that focuses on Blake Lively is another project she could be involved with. Blake is also up for a major role in Disney's Oz, The Great & Powerful. She would play Glinda the witch in the Sam Raimi film that focuses on the arrival of the Wizard (James Franco) via hot air balloon to the land of Oz. Mila Kunis (Black Swan) previously joined the film playing Theodora the sister of Glinda and eventually becomes an evil witch.

Mila Kunis WIll Play Theodora In Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

Variety has official news that Mila Kunis (Book of Eli, Black Swan) has landed the role of good witch turned evil Theodora in Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. The Disney film which stars James Franco as a young Wizard who is a sexually charged snake oil salesman/illusionist. They also name Glinda and Evanora as the other witch roles which should be cast soon.

Mila Kunis Turns Down Akira To Star In Oz

Rising actress Mila Kunis is gathering praise for her performance in Black Swan and she's now being offered some big roles. According to Vulture Mila had been offered a role in The Hugh Brothers' Akira but turned it down to star opposite James Franco in Oz, The Great & Powerful. The Sam Raimi directed film for Disney chronicles the origin of The Wizard of Oz who will played by Franco. Kunis would play a young witch Theodorah who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of The West. Franco had also been linked to Akira but it looks like he's chosen to work on Oz instead.

RUMOR: James Franco In Talks For Akira?

JustJared known for celebrity gossip/photos and not movie news is reporting that James Franco is in talks for Akira which is setup at Warner Bros. The live-action adaptation of the massively popular manga and anime film will be directed by the Hughes Brothers (Book of Eli, From Hell). They go on to say that he'll have to choose between Akira, Oz, The Great & Powerful and ten other mentioned films. There has been talk for over a year that Joesph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, Dark Knight Rises) could also have a role in the film. Of course this is a rumor and until it's confirmed by a reliable site or source it's just a cool thought. I wouldn't have pegged Franco as leading man for an event film like this until he jumped on board for Rise of The Apes last year.


Two things that make me skeptical about the news. First Franco has been mentioned for so many roles it's unlikely most of these stories are even true. Second is that Warner Bros. is way too busy to start another big event film like Akira so soon. They're currently financing Sherlock Holmes 2, Hugo Cabret, two Hobbit films, The Dark Knight Rises, Superman, Jack The Giant Killer, Logan's Run, Dark Shadows and later in the year Mad Max: Fury Road. If this turns out to be true don't expect it to shoot anytime soon.

James Franco In Talks For Oz, The Great & Powerful

HeatVision reports that James Franco (Pineapple Express, 127 Hours) is in early talks to take the lead role in Disney's Oz, The Great & Powerful. Robert Downey Jr. who had been rumored previously for the role has passed on it along with other projects to focus on Avengers. There had been speculation that Johnny Depp would be the studio's second choice but he recently passed too.

James isn't the type of actor you'd expect in this womanizing/conman role but he's never been pinned down as certain type of actor. Franco is also being linked to other big projects like Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Wrath of The Titans. I'm still holding out hope that Franco will join the Prometheus cast. I wouldn't be shocked to see director Sam Raimi hire him since they've worked together on the Spider-Man films.

Michael Shannon, James Franco & Benicio Del Toro Confirmed For Iceman

This could be the swan-song for Mickey Rourke's competing film based on the real life mob hitman Richard Kuklinski. MovieHole reports that Michael Shannon, James Franco and Benicio Del Toro have signed on to star in Iceman. There were teaser posters floating around online for months and the actors had been attached but it's now official. It's another high tension action driven project coming from Nu Image/Millennium Films. Who recently released The Expendables and the upcoming Mechanic remake.

Shannon will play the notorious hitman known for freezing his victims' bodies to throw off police to the time of death. Del Toro will play his mob employer Roy Demeo and Franco his mentor.

Fassbender & Yeoh In Talks For Alien Prequels, Now Titled Paradise?

Vulture reports Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel is now titled Paradise. They also mention two new actors who are on Ridley's wishlist. For the role of android "David" Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Bsterds, X-Men First Class) is in mind along with Michelle Yeoh (Sunshine) for "Vickers".

There is also a businessman role I assume from the company who I'd like to see James Franco (127 Hours, Rise of The Apes) get. Franco had tested for the film but it's unknown for which part. Noomi Rapace is still the front runner for lead role of Elizabeth Shaw but no announcements have been made by the studio.

James Franco & Javier Bardem Offered Roles In Wrath of The Titans

CBM is reporting that Warner Bros. is in talks with both James Franco and Javier Bardem for Wrath of The Titans. The sequel to Clash of the Titans is directed by Jonathan Liebesman and will see the return of Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton and Liam Neeson. Franco would play Agenor the son of Poseidon and Bardem would be Ares the god of war. Franco is also rumored to be involved with Ridley Scott's Alien prequels so he might have to decide on one of the blockbusters.

David Gordon Green Talks Pineapple Express 2

Director David Gordon Green is currently promoting his next film Your Highness at the New York Comic-Con and CinemaBlend was there to cover it. When asked about the possibility of making Pineapple Express 2 he responded with interesting comparisons. It gives an idea of how large the scale of the film could be along with more violent action scenes. Yet this doesn't confirm the project is actually happening but it's very likely it will if Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg end up writing the script.

"Every now and then there's an idea. Any time Seth [Rogen] and Evan [Goldberg] start talking about making it more like Scarface or Clear and Present Danger… I could be in for that."

 

Don Cheadle & Freida Pinto Offered Roles In Rise of The Apes

BloodyDisgusting is reporting that Fox has offered roles to Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2) and Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire, Immortals) for their upcoming film Rise of The Apes. Which is their reboot/prequel of the Planet of The Apes franchise. James Franco was cast as the film's lead and it's unknown what the other roles could be.

James Franco To Star In Rise of The Apes

Deadline reports that James Franco (Spider-Man 1-3, Pineapple Express) will star in 20th Century Fox's Planet of The Apes reboot Rise of The Apes. They go on to mention the film starts production on July 5th so I assume more casting information will be coming soon.