Ken Watanabe Offered Role In Akira

Twitch reports that Gary Oldman has turned down the role of the Colonel in Akira. Oldman had also been offered the Merlin role in Arthur And Lancelot. The studio has now offered the part to another Christopher Nolan regular Ken Watanabe (Inception, Batman Begins, Last Samurai). Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stweart have been linked for the leads.

What's interesting about this move by Warner Bros. is that Ken is the first Japanese actor to ever be linked the to the project. Akira has been getting a lot of hate from fans that the casting has been mostly whitewashing. This hopefully could be the first step to casting more Japanese actors in the film.

WB Still Searching For Akira's Tetsuo, More Actors Linked

I swear that Akira has to be one of the messiest casting searches I've seen since Captain America. The studio seems to be scrambling to find their Tetsuo before Akira starts production early next year. We've heard names like James McAvoy, Andrew Garfield, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Pattinson and Ezra Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin) previously all linked for the role but nothing has come of it. Currently Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy) is in place for role of Kaneda. Other actors such as Gary Oldman, Kristen Stewart, Keira Knightley and Helena Bonham Carter have been mentioned being in the mix as well.

HeatVision has word another batch of actors will screentest for the part of Tetsuo. The new list includes Tobey Kebbell (Wrath of The Titans, RockNRolla), Michael Pitt (Dreamers, Boardwalk Empire), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Rami Malek (The Pacific), Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus), D.J. Controna (G.I. Joe 2) along with retests from Paul Dano (Cowboys And Aliens, There Will Be Blood) and Alden Ehrenreich. Out of this bunch I feel that Kebbell and Pitt have the best chances too pull off Tetsuo properly. While names like Malek and Madden shouldn't be overlooked as both are becoming excellent actors.

Kristen Stewart Could Play Kei In Akira

Warner Bros. has been having a really tough time nailing down it's male leads for their adaptation of Akira. Not much can be said for the few female roles as there haven't been too many names being mentioned. Now Twitch reports that Kristen Stewart is now in the mix for the role of female protagonist Kei. I'm still on the fence about Stewart in general with her terrible performances in Twilight but Huntsman could change my opinion.

A rumored offer has gone out to Helena Bonham Carter (Dark Shadows, Deathly Hollows, Fight Club) for the role of Lady and Keira Knightley (Pirates 1-3) had been linked for an unknown role. Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy) is up for the hero role of Kandea and Gary Oldman (Dark Kight) has been offered the role of the Colonel. While Ezra Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin) and Alden Eherenreich are up for Tetsuo.

Snow White And The Huntsman Trailer

Promo Art For Snow White & The Huntsman

Here is a piece of promo art for Rupert Sander's Snow White And The Huntsman. Rupert's version is dark/gritty and has been attributed to the fantasy-style of Lord of The Rings. It's impressive cast includes Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn), Charlize Theron (Prometheus, Fury Road), Sam Claflin (Pirates 4), Noah Huntley, Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Attack The Block), Ray Winstone, Ian McShane (Deadwood), Bob Hoskins (Hook), Toby Jones (Captain America), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes, Jack The Giant Killer) and Steven Graham (Snatch, Boardwalk Empire).

Chris Hemsworth Confirmed For Snow White & The Huntsman

Deadline reports that Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek, Thor) has been officially cast in the huntsman role in Rupert Saunder's Snow White & The Huntsman. Hemsworth has proved he can carry a rather large film with Thor. Chris has three big films coming out within the next year which includes the Red Dawn remake, the horror film Cabin In The Woods written by Joss Whedon (Buffy, Avengers) who is also directing him in Avengers. So everyone will know him by the time this film is released.

While I'm not too impressed with the casting of Kristen Stewart in the role of Snow White. The other supporting cast of Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and Sam Claflin (Ironclad, Pirates 4) as the Prince are decent enough now that Hemsworth is involved. Chris wasn't the only actor in mind as the studio reached out to Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy, Viggo Mortensen and Hugh Jackman.

Sam Claflin Joins Snow White & The Huntsman, Offer Out To Chris Hemsworth

Deadline reports that Sam Claflin (Pirates 4) has landed the role of the prince in Snow White & The Huntsman. Chris Hemsworth (Red Dawn, Thor, Cabin In The Woods) has been offered the role of the huntsman. It's been difficult for the studio to find someone for the role as Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy, Viggo Mortensen and Hugh Jackman were linked but never signed on. Kristen Stewart is confirmed as Snow White while Charlize Theron is attached to play the evil Queen.

More Actresses Viving For Superman, A Batman Connection?

More actresses are joining Malin Akerman as rumored candidates for Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Superman. First off is Twilight's Kristen Stewart who is a little too young for the role but seems to have sort of clout with Hollywood. WhatsPlaying has revealed more names which includes Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes), Jessica Biel and Dianna Agron (I Am Number Four, Glee). Out of the bunch I believe McAdams has the best bet she's respected and was apart of Sherlock Holmes' success.

CinemaBlend adds to the speculation including Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Die Hard 4) and Kristen Bell (Sarah Marshall, Fanboys) to the mix. Personally I like the thought of Winstead as Lois Lane because of her experience working on large action films.

What I'm noticing is that some of the names were linked to Nolan's Batman films. Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway were both linked for Superman and Dark Knight Rises. Hathaway would eventually land the Selina Kyle part in Rises. Rachel McAdams was linked to Dark Knight when Katie Holmes was being replaced. Biel had been in the list of hopefuls for Dark Knight Rises. So I would assume others who were linked could be involved with the Superman tests. The two productions are so close it seems like it would make sense for Warner Bros. to cast actors at the same time. Christopher Nolan would be involved with both productions search for actors. Expect others linked to Dark Knight Rises to be involved in the casting process.

Keira Knighley seems like the best guess for who will be next to be rumored as she was linked with Dark Knight Rises. She also was a frontrunner for the role of Peggy Carter in Captain America. It does seem like the actress is actively looking for a comic book film to star in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Knighley also connected with Superman and Avengers. Eva Green was another name involved with Batman casting rumors and is in the perfect age range to compliment Henry Cavill. Green has proven herself capable of knocking it out of the park in action roles with Casino Royale and Ridley Scott's underrated Kingdom of Heaven.



Who Do You Picture As Lois Lane?? Leave Your Comments!

RUMOR: Kristen Stewart To Play Snow White?

Deadline is reporting on a rumor that could see Twilight's Kristen Stewart in the lead role of Snow White & The Huntsman. It would be a safe bet for Universal since Stewart has a young loyal following. The only thing is that I doubt she would be able to carry a film like this on her own. Even worse she'd be sharing scenes with heavy weights like Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron.

It was mentioned that Universal could also be looking at both big names and unknowns for the role. The list of lesser known actresses in the running include Felicity Jones (The Tempest, Cemetery Junction), Riley Keough, Bella Heathcoat (Cogan's Trade, Now) and Alicia Vikander. I'd personally rather see Felicity Jones in the role mainly because she would put more effort into the film and could build a name from it. For Kristen, it would be just a payday between the next emotionless performance.