Olivia Wilde & Director Confirmed For Tomb Raider ?

CinePop (via MovieHole) is reporting that Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) will play Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider reboot. Wilde has long been rumored for the role and was a fan favorite (including mine). Of course neither site is confirming with an official source so this might not turn out to be true. They go on to say that the film's director will be Mark Fergus who is best known as a screenwriter. Writing scripts for projects like Children of Men, Iron Man, Cowboys & Aliens along with the upcoming Akira. Fergus' only previous directing experience is from making the thriller First Snow. Mark along with his writing partner Hawk Ostby were hired earlier in the year by GK Films to write the script which was reported by Deadline.

Hayley Atwell, Kate Beckinsale & Diane Kruger Testing For Horizons

Deadline reports that actresses Hayley Atwell (Captain America), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and Kate Beckinsale (Total Recall, Underworld 4) are currently testing for the second female role in Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons/Oblivion.

Tom Cruise and Jessica Chastain (The Debt) are already locked in as the leads. Oddly enough actresses who have been mentioned as possible options for the second role like Olivia Wilde, Brit Marling and Nooi Rapace aren't being listed.

Jessica Chastain Joins Tom Cruise In Horizons

ShowBlitz reports that 2011's it-girl of the moment Jessica Chastain in now in talks to star alongside Tom Cruise in Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons (formerly Oblivion). Jessica has been taking over screens starring in a massive amount of buzzed films in the last year that include Tree Of Life, The Help, The Debt, Take Shelter, Coriolanus and Texas Killing Fields. It's unknown if she's either playing Tom's character's wife or the mysterious girl who sets all the events in motion. They say the other actresses who tested that included Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes 2, Prometheus), Olivia Wilde and other it-girl Brit Marling (Another Earth) could also still be up for a role.

Anthony Mackie & Michael Peña Join Gangster Squad, Plus Actresses Audition

Warner Bros' Gangster Squad is quickly becoming one of the studio's films to look out for. The dramatic crime thriller focuses on a unit of L.A. cops who target gangster Mickey Cohen and are tasked in taking down his crime empire. Anthony Mackie (Hurt Locker) and Michael Peña have joined the cast which already boosts an impressive group that includes Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin. It will be directed by Ruben Fleischer who made Zombieland and the upcoming 30 Minutes Or Less.

 JustJared posted a large batch of candid photos of actresses going in and leaving auditions for Gangster Squad. A majority of the ladies showed up in outfits specific to the era. They included Olivia Wilde, Ashley Greene, Amanda Righetti, Camilla Belle and Alyson Michalka. Adam Brody was spotted as well and could be testing for a role.

Jaimie Alexander & Olivia Wilde Talk Tomb Raider

It wasn't too long ago that it was announced that GK Films (Departed, The Town) has gained the rights to make a new Tomb Raider film. They just hired the duo of Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby best known for writing Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens to pen the script. A great combination as both writers and GK Films are respected for delivering solid films. Speaking with MovieLine Thor's Jaimie Alexander who did an amazing job as Lady Sif wants a crack at Lara Croft.

"I've obviously been hearing about a Tomb Raider reboot, which I think would be pretty awesome — Lara Croft. Anything that's very physical. ... I would love to pursue Lara Croft."


"I'm not going to try and be Angelina Jolie. She's her own woman, and she did a fantastic job as Lara Croft. If that opportunity arises for me, then I would put my own spin on Lara Croft. There's no way I would try and copy what she did. I think that's a huge mistake with actors and actresses who are taking on a role that was previously done by someone else."


MTV recently got a brief comment from long rumored candidate Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy,  Cowboys & Aliens) on her involvement.


"As far as I know right now, I'm not playing Lara Croft. No.....That would be so awesome. I love Lara Croft," she said. "That's really cool that people think I should play her. That's nice of them."

Actors Confirmed For Oliver Stone's Savages, Actresses Start Testing For Lead

Oliver Stone's drug-themed crime thriller Savages is looking very promising. Universal has picked up the film and now is testing actresses for the role of O, the kidnapped friend of the two pot growers. After Jennifer Lawrence left to star in Gary Ross' Hunger Games. Deadline confirms that Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch and Benicio Del Toro are locked in while Salma Hayek is still in talks. They also say that along with Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) testing for the female lead is Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch, A Good Year). Variety adds that Blake Lively (Green Lantern, The Town) and Teressa Palmer (I Am Number Four) are also in the mix.

Doug Liman's Luna Still In The Works, Meets With Actors

Doug Liman (Bourne Identity) has been working hard developing his next film previously titled Luna. The science fiction thriller film once had Jake Gyllenhaal originally attached to star but Jake would eventually drop out. It was setup at Dreamworks but has since moved over to Paramount.

"The story centers on a renegade group of former space employees, led by an Eastern European woman, who travel the world, stealing space equipment in an attempt to go back to the moon to acquire an energy source. The last item to steal -- or in this case, kidnap -- is an ex-NASA employee."

HeatVision reports that Doug has been meeting with actors for the two to three leads of the film. They include Andrew Garfield, Emile Hirsch, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Megan Fox, Rachel McAdams, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde. This news gives the impression that development on All You Need Is Kill has halted and Liman's involvement could be questionable at this point.

Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson & Olivia Wilde Could Star In Oliver Stone's Savages

Deadline reports that Oliver Stone's next movie will be Savages based on the novel by Don Winslow. The film focuses on two Laguna-based pot growers arm-twisted into working for a Mexican cartel when they kidnap O, the free spirited best friend of the growers.

Stone is currently in talks with both Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy) and Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars) for the two leads. I love the sounds of this drug based crime thriller and it doesn't hurt that Stone wrote both Scarface and Midnight Express. I expect this could be a another drug epic in the making.

They add that Olivia Wilde is currently in talks for the role of O which had been linked to Jennifer Lawrence before she signed on for Hunger Games. Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek had been linked for Mexican cartel roles.

RUMOR: Timothy Olyphant The Lone Ranger & Olivia Wilde Lara Croft?

Some casting rumors have surfaced online and they seem very odd for some reason. First Timothy Olyphant is apparently a candidate for the role of The Lone Ranger for Disney. Olyphant recently worked with both director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp (Tonto) on Rango. The film would be told from perspective of Tonto and the Ranger himself would likely be a smaller role. Previously George Clooney had been rumored for the role but it's likely Clooney is too busy with other projects. While I believe Timothy's work on shows like Deadwood and Justified make him an excellent candidate. He hasn't had much success in the world of film with efforts like Hitman, The Crazies and Gone In 60 Seconds hindering his abilities. As it's a western I think I can hold off any judgment.

Also, Olivia Wilde is on the producers' wishlist for the new incarnation of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider reboot. It seems like a massive step-up from the previous talk of Megan Fox who has strangely fallen into obscurity as of late. Wilde seems like an excellent choice but without a solid source backing up this rumor it's unlikely to happen. Olivia has started to become known for her roles in genre based film with Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens, Now and rumored involvement with Superman. I have zero interest in a Lara Croft film and unless they bring in a big name director with a stellar cast I don't think anyone else will.

Olivia Wilde Also In The Running For Lois Lane?

LatinoReview is reporting that Olivia Wilde has tested for the role of Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Superman. Yet another actress in a growing list of rumored hopefuls which includes Malin Akerman, Kristen Stewart, Dianna Agron, Jessica Biel, Rachel McAdams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kristen Bell.

Olivia is becoming a great addition to large scale blockbusters proven first with her performance in Tron Legacy. Wilde's character being the highlight of the entire film and is one of the reasons Disney could move forward with Tron 3. She's also starring alongside Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford in Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens this summer. I wouldn't doubt that she's being highly considered for the role. 

Cillian Murphy & David Warner To Be Villains In Tron 3?

AICN reports some details on the possible Tron 3 teaser trailer footage which includes three scenes. I don't consider these spoilers since it's only from a trailer and could end up being false. One of the scenes involve Qurra (Olivia Wilde) arriving at ENCOM to announce to the press she has spoken with Kevin Flynn. Another involves interaction between Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Ram (Dan Shor). The last could reveal the film's villains with Ed Dillinger (David Warner) plotting with son Ed Dillinger Jr. (Cillian Murphy).

RUMOR: Tron 3 Greenlit & Teaser Trailer On Blu Ray?

Tron fansite Tron-Sector reports that Tron 3 is moving forward and the Blu Ray release of Tron Legacy will include a teaser trailer for it. I would dismiss this type of rumor but it does make sense when director Joseph Kosinski is involved. The one reason it's possible is that Disney moved forward with hiring screenwriters to work on the second film during post-production of Legacy. Kosinski famously shot his own test footage which ended up being shown at Comic-Con before the film had even start it's production. It also isn't out of the question that Disney commissioned bridge scenes that never made the final film. The studio only said they would commit to another sequel if the returns were good. Legacy has just made over $300 Million worldwide so it's been profitable. Not including it's video game, merchandise and DVD/Blu Ray sales.

Joseph Kosinski Teases The Return of Cillian Murphy In Tron 3

Tron Legacy director Joseph Kosinski was dropping hints on what could possibly go on in Tron 3 (via SpinoffOnline). While I'll avoid spoiling the film one character he mentions spends all of two minutes in the movie. Ed Dillinger Jr., the son of the first film's villain shows up in a very brief cameo played by Cillian Murphy (Inception). You don't get a great read on the character knowing if he's good or bad but I'd like to see him return none the less.

It's unknown at this point when we could see Tron 3 go into production since it's currently at the scripting stage and has yet to be greenlit by Disney. Tron Legacy writers have been put onto working the sequel and could very well have something for the studio soon. Disney has been vocal of rounding out a trilogy. Tron very well could be the studios' science fiction version of Pirates of Carribean and develop into a decent franchise. It's expected Disney could be waiting on the final worldwide box office returns before moving forward with a sequel.

Disney has two other projects lined up for director Joseph Kosinski. The first one is a remake of the classic Disney science fiction movie Black Hole. That one is still in the scripting phase with Travis Beacham (Clash of The Titans, Pacific Rim) working on it. The other is an original concept from Kosinski titled Oblivion. The studio has hired Oscar winning writer William Monahan (Departed, Kingdom of Heaven) to handle the script. The film revolves around a repairman named Jak who finds himself on a life-altering adventure after he discovers a mysterious woman in a crashed pod

Bana, Wilde & Hunnam In Talks To Star In KIN

Variety reports Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde (Tron, Cowboys & Aliens) are in talks for KIN. It focuses on two desperate sibling fugitives (Bana, Wilde) on the run who subsequently collide with the holiday homecoming of a troubled ex-boxer. Charlie Hunnam (Green Street Hooligans, Sons of Anarchy) is being pursued for the role of an ex-boxer.

Oscar winning director Stefan Ruzowitzky (The Counterfeiters) will helm the thriller. Stefan's next film is the Dracula horror flick The Last Voyage of Demeter which has Noomi Rapace and Ben Kingsley attached to star.

Olivia Wilde Also Up For Alien Prequels, Noomi Is Ridley's Top Choice

Deadline reports that Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) has joined the list of candidates for the female lead in the Alien Prequels. She joins Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes 2), Natalie Portman (Thor, Black Swan), Carey Mulligan and Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch). They also report Noomi is director Ridley Scott's top choice for the role but the studio has the ultimate pick. Her accent is an issue with 20th Century Fox but I don't think Swedish actors have much problems with pulling off American accents.