Jessica Chastain And Others Join Kathryn Bigelow's Bin Laden Film

Deadline reports that three more actors are in talks to join Kathryn Bigelow's Bin Laden film from Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal. The actors include Jessica Chastain (The Help, The Debt, Tree of Life), Mark Strong (RockNRolla, Body of Lies, Sherlock Holmes) and Edgar Ramirez (Domino, Che, Wrath of The Titans). It's an impressive addition considering they'll be joining Jason Clarke (Public Enemies, Wettest County), Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, Warrior) and Chris Prat (Moneyball). It will focus on the group of Navy Seals that ultimately killed Bin Laden. Sony has set the untitled film for a December 9th 2012 release date.

Eva Green Could Join The 300 Prequel

HeatVision reports that French actress Eva Green (Casino Royale, Kingdom of Heaven, Dark Shadows) is in talks for the role of Artemisia in the 300 prequel. The film currently titled 300: Battle of Artemisia is expected to take place before and during the events of the first movie. Joel Edgerton (The Thing, Warrior) had been in talks to take the male lead of Themistocles but ultimately passed on the project.

Chris Prat Could Kill Bin Laden For Kathryn Bigelow

Twitch reports that Chris Prat could join Kathryn Bigelow's Bin Laden movie which focus on Seal-Team Six. If Prat lands the role it very well could be the same career changing part that helped Jeremy Renner blow up and earn two Oscar nominations.

Jeremy Renner before Hurt Locker was known for supporting roles in action films and hadn't been in the spotlight. Chris is currently best known for supporting roles in Parks And Recreation, Wanted, Take Me Home Tonight, Jennifer's Body, Moneyball and the upcoming Five-Year Engagement. If Prat joins the project it's very likely that he'll end up landing leading man roles in all types of films, giving his career a massive boost.

Jason Clarke is currently the only actor locked in for a role. Other names that have been mentioned for the film include Joel Edgerton (likely out), Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce.

CASTING DROPOUTS: Joel Edgerton And Ezra Miller

Two actors seem have to moved on from involvement with big Warner Bros. projects. Joel Edgerton has decided to pass on 300: The Battle of Atermisia and Ezra Miller denies any casting rumors of Akira. It's odd since both Hollywood Reporter and Twitch reported on Miller being reputable sources. Edgerton was also offered the second lead in The Man From UNCLE so he might looking at other projects. However, there is talk that the UNCLE script is boring and many actors have walked from it.

Channing Tatum Could Join The Man From UNCLE

It looks like casting is all over the place with for Steven Soderbergh's The Man From UNCLE. Deadline now reports that Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, Haywire) is now in mind for the role of American spy Napoleon Solo. That role had been linked to the likes of George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Michael Fassbender, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bradley Cooper. Channing recently worked with Soderbergh on Haywire and his male stripper film Magic Mike which is currently shooting. There is no word if Joel Edgerton (Warrior) is still up for the second lead as the Russian agent.

Bradley Copper Not In Soderbergh's The Man From UNCLE

TheWrap reports that Bradley Cooper has left talks to star as Napoleon Solo in Steven Soderbergh's The Man From UNCLE. Warrior's Joel Edgerton had been offered the role of Russian Agent Illya Kuryakin. It seems like the Solo role is having a lot of trouble finding an actor to fill it. Previously actors like George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt had been mentioned as in the mix.

Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alexander Skarsgard and Joel Kinnaman were originally mentioned before either Cooper and Edgerton got involved. Fassbender and Kinnaman have lined up other possible projects with the studio in the meanwhile. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ryan Gosling landing the role since Warner Bros. originally wanted him in the movie. Gosling had been linked for the role of but I could see him better suited for Solo. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is also gathering a massive amount of steam landing roles in The Dark Knight Rises and Django Unchained.

Joel Edgerton Offered Lead In The Man From UNCLE

Vulture reports that Joel Edgerton (Warrior, Animal Kingdom) has been offered the second lead in Steven Soderbergh's The Man From UNCLE. News of Edgerton being offered the lead in 300: The Battle of Artemisia had been revealed earlier today.

Bradley Cooper (Limitless, Hangover 1-2) had already landed the role of American spy Napoleon Solo, which had been vacated by George Clooney. Joel would play Russian spy Illya Kuryakin which had been linked to both Ryan Gosling and Joel Kinnaman. Kinnaman was recently offered an equally large role as Lancelot in the studio's Arthur & Lancelot. Oddly enough months back it was rumored that both Cooper and Edgerton were up for the lead in Ant-Man.

Joel Edgerton In Talks For 300 Battle Of Artemisia

ThePlaylist reports that Joel Edgerton is now in talks for the lead role of Themosticles in 300: Battle of Artemisia. Written/produced by Zack Snyder and based on the work of Frank Miller tells the story ten years prior to the first film. Noam Murro is set to direct with an estimated release date in 2013. Gerard Butler and Lena Headey are rumored to have cameos in the film as well.

Could Joe Cornish Direct Ant-Man?

We've been hearing lots of updates concerning the script of Marvel Studios' Ant-Man which is being written by Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish. The pair previously worked together on Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn that's being produced by Peter Jackson. Last thing we heard is that the duo handed in a second draft which the studio seemed thrilled about. Now word from HitFix is that they're aren't finished the script leading us to believe that a third draft is currently being worked on. Joe also stated Edgar hasn't been announced as the official director and that he would leave all the announcements about the film to him [Wright]. Marvel Studios has neither announced a release date or even a director for the film.


I'm getting the feeling that Joe might be in a better position to direct Ant-Man than Edgar. Cornish is slowly gathering steam as a director with his cult film Attack The Block and unlike Wright doesn't have his plate full of projects. Marvel is notoriously cheap and would likely lock a director into a two picture deal. Something I feel could be too much for Wright who does as much producing as he does directing. Likely wanting the breathing room to make his passion projects such as Baby Driver, Them and World's End along with producing other things. Cornish was recently linked as a candidate to direct A Good Day To Die Hard the fifth film in the Die Hard franchise before John Moore was hired.

Edgar Wright's Ant-Man A Team Spy Film?

We've been getting a few hints on what we can expect from Marvel Studios' Ant-Man which is being written by Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim, Hot Fuzz) and Joe Cornish (Attack The Block, Tintin). From what is known we could be seeing a group of Ant-Men in a high-tech spy heist film. This makes a lot of sense considering neither Pym or Wasp won't be showing up in Avengers.

It will include at least two of the Ant-Men including Dr. Hank Pym and burglar turned-hero Scott Lang (2nd Ant-Man) which was confirmed by MTV. Also the film's leading lady Janet van Dyne wears a similar suit and is known as the Wasp. It would be nice to see another heroine in the film perhaps Lang's daughter Cassie. She becomes a Young Avenger known as Stature who shares the same powers as her father.
 
ThePlaylist was able to speak with Joe Cornish which he became coy when the question of Ant-Men was raised again. However, they mention several "Ant-Men" are rumored which could mean SHIELD Agent Eric O'Grady (3rd Ant-Man) could be in the film as well.

"We had heard that at one point Cornish and Wright were going to put several of the Ant-Men (meaning people that had put on superhero scientist Hank Pym’s suit) into the script, meaning that they could have thrown in our personal favorite Ant-Man – Eric O’Grady, low-level S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent turned shadily “Irredeemable” Ant Man."

Cornish smiled at our implication and said, slyly, “No comment.” He then started to say something, “Well, you know…” before shutting himself off with another “No comment.”


Edgar Wright talked to VanityFair about his vision for the film which will be a "high-tech spy heist film". The espionage angle gives further fuel that a team could be put together. Wright had been in contention to direct Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol which has a similar theme minus superpowers. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ant-Man closer to Bond or Mission Impossible than any of the other Marvel films.

"I think it's a really interesting high-concept idea. [...] I know there's a big stigma attached to it, mostly because every movie about shrinking has been about people in peril. I think it'd be great to do a shrinking film about a bad-ass secret agent. [...] Even something like The Incredible Shrinking Man, which is a fantastic film, is about a guy in trouble. But this is going to be nothing like that. It's essentially a high-tech spy heist film with somebody with a very particular power."

REVIEW: Warrior

Warrior, is a sports drama from director Gavin O'Connor starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte giving us another triumphant addition to the genre. Joining other impressive sports films such as Million Dollar Baby, The Fighter and Rocky.

The film starts out as a gritty drama showing us the dark sides of both Hardy (Tommy) and Nolte's (Patty) characters. The spotty past of Tommy is slowly revealed and gives another impression of the complex character along with his motives. Brendan (Joel Edgerton) is loosing his house as the money coming in from being a high school teacher isn't paying the bills. Deciding on returning to the ring for the quick cash, even if his wife is against it. The development of both brothers and father makes this a unique entry in the sports drama genre. As the estranged family aspect sets it apart from other sports films. While it did have it's share of nods to the Rocky franchise including a monolith Russian baddie.

Hardy and Nolte are the powerhouses of the film, while Joel Edgerton is getting most of the buzz from critics. I'd be shocked if the male leads don't sweep awards nominations this season. Nolte seemingly being a lock for Best Supporting Actor nomination at this year's Oscars. It's one of best films I've seen so far this year. Do yourself a favor and see Warrior as soon as you can before it exits for other award type films. Don't be shocked if you're close to a good ol' man cry by the end. 

A+

Joel Edgerton Signs On For Kathryn Bigelow's Bin Landen Film

24Frames reports that Joel Edgerton (The Thing, Warrior) has passed on Snow White & The Huntsman to work with Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow. The film with the working title "Kill Bin Laden" had been in development with Bigelow's writer Mark Boal (Triple Frontier, Hurt Locker) working on the film's script. Now with Osama's death it looks like the film is moving quickly into production. This very well could be the best move for Edgerton as the film will be looked at for awards consideration when released.

Joel Edgerton Wanted For Bourne Legacy & Huntsman

Vulture is reporting that Australian actor Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) is impressing Universal as he's being looked at for two of their films. First writer/director Tony Gilroy wants Joel for The Bourne Legacy yet the studio feels James McAvoy (X-Men First Class, Wanted) or Shia LaBeouf (Transformers 1-3) would be better known internationally. Universal is also considering Joel for the huntsman role in Snow White & The Huntsman as Viggo Mortensen and Hugh Jackman have passed on the project.

Edgerton is currently leading Universal's upcoming The Thing prequel and is an excellent actor that's been taking up solid Aussie roles in the last couple of years. Hopefully he ends up in Bourne Legacy as he seems a perfect person for the role and Huntsman sounds like it's on it's last legs. He's a future action star in the making and if Joel doesn't get Bourne he'll be offered another franchise soon.

CAST EM'!: Edgar Wright's Ant-Man

With the second draft of Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright's script for Ant-Man complete I figured I go over some updated casting ideas for the Marvel Studios film. I've come up with a list of my favorites for the roles of Hank and Janet.

Previously we've seen actors like Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk and Adrien Brody rumored for the role of Hank. Along with online campaigns for Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Pegg. Pegg suggesting he'd rather play the film's villain rather than Ant-Man himself. I like some of the names being mentioned but I have my own ideas as well.



DR HANK PYM - ANTMAN

Joel Edgerton: Joel is similar to Tom Hardy and Jeremy Renner as he's slowly building up a decent resume of badass roles. He seems like the gruff type of Hank that you could seriously and be threatened by. Depending on how their take on Pym if they want to get a future action star for the part Joel could be their man. (The Thing, Animal Kingdom, King Aurthur, Smokin' Aces, Star Wars: Episode II & III)


 



Jamie Bell: Jamie is an excellent young actor. I've been fascinated with his career as he's been able to go from child actor to slowly developing into an action star. Being the only solid thing about Jumpers and also being able to hold his own in Defiance alongside Daniel Craig. Bell was also involved with the Spider-Man talks so it's likely he's open to a comic book role. If I had to choose a favorite it would be Bell. Not to mention he's already had plenty of motion capture experience with Tintin which could be an asset. It's expected Ant-Man will be mostly motion capture. (King Kong, Tintin, The Eagle, Defiance, Flags of Our Fathers, Hallam Foe)





JANET VAN DYNE - WASP

Mila Kunis: Mila is best known for her television work but has become known for her adaptability taking on many different types of films. She's able to play almost any sort of role dramatic, action, comedic or otherwise. She had been linked for the Lois Lane role with many other actresses but seemed at the time the best choice. As Janet is characterized as a petite woman Kunis' stature fits that aspect along with her bubbling personality which Janet is known for. (Oz, Book of Eli, Sarah Marshall, Black Swan)







Mary Elizabeth Winstead: Winstead on the other hand has more action film roots as a majority of her films have tended to go in that direction. She also has been rumored/linked to being involved with talks for Superman, Spider-Man and The Avengers. It seems she wants to do a comic book film and is on the radar of Marvel Studios as MEW was a possible candidate for Maria Hill. (Death Proof, Die Hard 4, Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)







WHO WOULD YOU CAST IN THE LEAD ROLES? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Actors Start Testing For Bourne Legacy

Deadline reports that Tony Gilroy's Bourne Legacy is heating up as the first group of actors to test have been revealed. They include Joel Edgerton (The Thing, Animal Kingdom, Warrior, King Aurthur), Luke Evans (Three Musketeers, The Raven, Immortals), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy) and Dominic Cooper (Captain America, An Education).

Joel and Luke are my favorites of this group. Cooper doesn't seem a good fit for the Bourne franchise. Garrett has been linked to other films like Akira and Daredevil so I'm not sure how interest he would be.

Bourne Legacy Moves On

Tony Gilroy, writer of the first three Bourne films and director of Duplicity and Michael Clayton, is writing and directing the Bourne spin-off "Bourne Legacy." Empire Magazine reports that he is currently taking meetings with several actors to replace Matt Damon.

Yes, Bourne Legacy will NOT star Matt Damon. Specific reasons can only be speculated but there haven’t been any reports that would suggest a negative separation. I think Damon and Paul Greengrass (Director of Bourne 1-3) are just ready to move on. Continuing with Bourne Legacy, so far (according to Deadline) there is a long list of actors pursuing this role: Jake Gyllenhaal, Joel Edgerton, Josh Hartnett, Tobey Maguire, Paul Dano, Micheal Pitt, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, Micheal Fassbender, Luke Evans, Alex Pettyfer, Taylor Kitsch and Benjamin Walker. This is a ridiculous list; half of these candidates are absurd and the other half are already attached to many other projects. For example, Tobey Maguire...his mere consideration is an insult to the franchise or even pretty boys like Alex Pettyfer (I am Number Four) or Taylor Kitsch (Wolverine: X-men Origins) don’t come remotely close to the likes of a potential successor. But on the other side of things better actors such as Micheal Fassbender, Paul Dano and Jake Gyllenhaal are already attached to many other films and (in my opinion) just don't seem to fit either.

Out of this odd assortment of actors personally, I think Garrett Hedlund (Tron, Four Brothers) or Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) would be good choices. Both would take the film in different dirrections but they share similar attributes in their versatility, intensity and rising careers. Garrett Hedlund, I know is somewhat of a strange choice but his roles in “Death Sentence” and “Four Brothers” showcase his adaptability, and capable honesty and grit. But despite my opinion, I think it’s safe to say that Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Hartnett are forerunners.

First Look: The Thing Prequel

Collider has posted the first images from The Thing prequel. The sci-fi horror film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim), Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Bourne Identity) and Eric Christian Olsen (Beerfest). It's been reported the New York Comic-Con will be treated to the film's trailer and some footage. The trailer itself should make it's way online soon after since it will be released on April 29th and the Halloween season is perfect for it. It will follow the events of the Norwegian camp where they first discover the frozen alien ship and it's monstrous contents. I'm excited for this movie but hope it's more than just an homage like Predators.